Antinori Wines at Michael's on Naples

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Four of us tonight for a wine dinner at Michaels on Naples, www.michaelsonnaples.com. Got there right at 7:00 and found out we were seated upstairs. I had a hissy and wasn't quiet about it either.  The other 3 were already seated so I climbed the stairs slowly. After greeting everyone we discussed the situation. Pitched a bitch with the waitstaff (not their fault) we were finally told that there would be a table downstairs available in 10 minutes and we could move. Meantime they finally get around to serving the first wine. 20 minutes later we get the first course. Then they decided to move us. After a slow climb downstairs we were seating in the room off the side where they have private events. Much quieter and much more comfortable.

Waited awhile before we got our menus and second glass of wine. They were clearly overbooked and the waitstaff and kitchen were having a hard time keeping up the pace.

Dinner was excellent. First course was Kauai prawn. Meyer lemon marmalade and watercress. A 2013 Orvieto Superiore "San Giovanni" Castello Della Sala was paired. Good combination.

Next up was Orecchiette con Conigliuo. Pasta with Devil's Gulch Ranch rabbit sausage.  Another excellent dish. Wine served was a 2009 Chianti Classico "Gran Selezione" Badia di Passignano. Good wine and good pairing.

Third course was a hand rolled ricotta pasta with Liberty Farm duck stew and Percornio Toscano.  My favorite dish of the night. Paired with a 2010 Brunbello di Montalcino, Plan delle Vigne. My favorite wine of the night.

Main course was a grilled Porterhouse steak, forest mushrooms and sunchokes. I was stuffed. Ate one piece of steak and had them box it up to take home. The wine served was my least favorite of the night. A 2012 Tignanello. Tenuta Tignanello.

Dessert was a  cheese plate which I gave to Marc. I just could not eat anymore. They served a 2012 Merlot "Cont 'Ugo" Tenuta Guado al Tasso. Gave that to Marc also.

Food was excellent,  waitstaff was doing as best they could. This dinner was clearly way overbooked. Apparently we were not the only ones complaining about being seated upstairs. $132 and I have to sit in a noisy space with my ear roasting  on one side because of the space heaters and freezing on the other side, Plus the noise. Don't think so. They could have added a second dinner on Thursday night and avoided the bad customer relations.